Start Up Workshop - Making Friends with Finance : Edinburgh March 2026

Navigating the financial world can be challenging, but it's essential for the success of your social enterprise. Let's turn those numbers into your new best friends!

As a social entrepreneur, you have certain statutory responsibilities to maintain accounting records and prepare accounts. You are required to prepare financial projections for funders as you set up and grow your business. Having enough cash can be the difference between survival and failure, so understanding and managing your cashflow is essential.

This workshop is designed to unpack the world of finance. It will help you to understand the benefits of making friends with finance (and your numbers) and assist you with the practical steps to do it. By the end of the workshop, you will have:

• An appreciation of the benefit of cashflow planning as a management tool and not just a task to complete for a funding application.

• Increased your confidence surrounding the financial aspects of running your social enterprise.

• Knowledge of different types of financial information, how they interact with each other, and the benefits they can provide you and your business.

• Gained a greater understanding of how to pull together your financial projections and what they are telling you about your business, as well as what accounting records you need to maintain and retain.

• Shared experiences and gained practical hints and tips to help avoid common pitfalls.

The workshop be delivered by Sheila Fazal and Chris Murray. Brian McMillan from the Just Enterprise team will join them at the Glasgow workshop.  

Sheila is the founder of Social Enterprise Accountancy Scotland CIC, which provides year-end accounting, tax, and payroll services to social enterprises (predominantly CICs) and small charities. Using previous and ongoing board and business experience, Sheila is well placed to provide training and coaching on all areas of finance and governance, using the principles of Action Learning.

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Date : Wednesday 11 March 2026

Time: 1.00pm to 4.30pm

Location:  The Bakery, Brunswick Street Lane, The Baking Room, Edinburgh, EH7 5JG

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Why attend?

·       Master cash flow management: Learn how to predict, manage, and optimise your cash flow.

·       Boost financial confidence: Gain the skills and knowledge to handle your finances efficiently.

·       Unlock the power of data: Discover how financial information can inform your decision-making.

·       Prepare for the future: Create accurate financial projections to secure funding and plan for growth.

·       Learn from the best: Benefit from expert guidance from experienced finance professionals.

Meet the Experts:

·       Sheila Fazal: A chartered accountant specialising in the social sector and founder of Social Enterprise Accountancy Scotland CIC, will share her financial management and accounting expertise.

·       Chris Murray - An Accounting Assistant who works at Social Enterprise Accountancy Scotland CIC and currently training for an ACCA qualification. He has worked with Sheila for four years supporting social entrepreneurs with their year-end accounts, accounting systems and tax returns and had previous 17 years business experience working in hospitality.

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Spaces are limited - Register your place now!